The Ducks’ Ryan Getzlaf, center, celebrates the team’s 3-2 victory over the Nashville Predators on Tuesday night at Honda Center. Getzlaf helped stake the Ducks to a 3-0 lead with an early first-period goal. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne knocks the puck away from the Ducks’ Derek Grant during the second period of Tuesday’s game at Honda Center. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Ryan Getzlaf #15 of the Anaheim Ducks takes the puck down the ice on a breakaway for the Anaheim Ducks first goal of the game during the first period against the Nashville Predators at Honda Center on March 12, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

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ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Matt Irwin #52 of the Nashville Predators checks Jaycob Megna #43 of the Anaheim Ducks against the wall during the first period at Honda Center on March 12, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Viktor Arvidsson #33 of the Nashville Predators and Rickard Rakell #67 of the Anaheim Ducks fight for control of the puck during the first period at Honda Center on March 12, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Cody McLeod #55 of the Nashville Predators throws a punch at Carter Rowney #24 of the Anaheim Ducks during the second period at Honda Center on March 12, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Matt Irwin #52 of the Nashville Predators, Wayne Simmonds #17 of the Nashville Predators and Nick Ritchie #37 of the Anaheim Ducks fight during the first period at Honda Center on March 12, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Members of the Anaheim Ducks and the Nashville Predators fight during the first period at Honda Center on March 12, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Pekka Rinne #35 of the Nashville Predators makes a save during the first period against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center on March 12, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

Anaheim Ducks’ Ryan Getzlaf points to goaltender John Gibson while celebrating his goal against the Nashville Predators during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, March 12, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Anaheim Ducks’ Jakob Silfverberg, center, of Sweden, celebrates his goal with teammates during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Tuesday, March 12, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: The Anaheim Ducks celebrate Jakob Silfverberg’s #33 of the Anaheim Ducks goal during the first period at Honda Center on March 12, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Troy Terry #61 of the Anaheim Ducks falls as Brian Boyle #11 of the Nashville Predators runs into him during the second period at Honda Center on March 12, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Wayne Simmonds #17 of the Nashville Predators takes the puck down the ices as Josh Manson #42 of the Anaheim Ducks follows during the second period at Honda Center on March 12, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Members of the Anaheim Ducks and the Nashville Predators fight during the second period at Honda Center on March 12, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Josh Manson #42 of the Anaheim Ducks grabs Filip Forsberg #9 of the Nashville Predators during the second period at Honda Center on March 12, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Wayne Simmonds #17 of the Nashville Predators follows the puck during the second period at Honda Center on March 12, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

Anaheim Ducks’ Daniel Sprong, center, of the Netherlands, celebrates his goal next to Nashville Predators’ Matt Irwin, right, during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, March 12, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Daniel Sprong #11 of the Anaheim Ducks celebrates a goal during the second period against the Nashville Predators at Honda Center on March 12, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Mikael Granlund #64 of the Nashville Predators and Carter Rowney #24 of the Anaheim Ducks fight for control of the puck during the second period at Honda Center on March 12, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

Nashville Predators’ Nick Bonino, center, falls to the ice in front of Anaheim Ducks’ John Gibson, right, during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, March 12, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Nashville Predators’ Mikael Granlund, left, of Finland, and Anaheim Ducks’ Corey Perry chase the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, March 12, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Anaheim Ducks’ Carter Rowney, right, hits the puck under pressure by Nashville Predators’ Craig Smith during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, March 12, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Nashville Predators’ Craig Smith, right, shoots under defense by Anaheim Ducks’ Carter Rowney during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, March 12, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Anaheim Ducks’ Max Jones, center, loses his balance in front of Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne, right, of Finland, after he was pushed by Predators’ Nick Bonino during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, March 12, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Nashville Predators’ Roman Josi, front, of Switzerland, is shoved by Anaheim Ducks’ Max Jones while chasing the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, March 12, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Anaheim Ducks’ Max Jones, right, moves the puck under defense by Nashville Predators’ Nick Bonino during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, March 12, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne, of Finland, watches as Anaheim Ducks players celebrate a goal by Daniel Sprong during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, March 12, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Roman Josi #59 of the Nashville Predators, P.K. Subban #76 of the Nashville Predators, and Derek Grant #38 of the Anaheim Ducks fight for control of the puck during the third period at Honda Center on March 12, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Mikael Granlund #64 of the Nashville Predators and Derek Grant #38 of the Anaheim Ducks fight for control of the puck during the third period at Honda Center on March 12, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Pekka Rinne #35 of the Nashville Predators makes a save as Max Jones #49 of the Anaheim Ducks tries for a shot on goal during the third period at Honda Center on March 12, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Max Jones #49 of the Anaheim Ducks and P.K. Subban #76 of the Nashville Predators fight during the third period at Honda Center on March 12, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Max Jones #49 of the Anaheim Ducks yells at P.K. Subban #76 of the Nashville Predators during the third period at Honda Center on March 12, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: P.K. Subban #76 of the Nashville Predators yells at official Dan O’Halloran during the third period at Honda Center on March 12, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: John Gibson #36 of the Anaheim Ducks prepares for a puck drop during a game against the Nashville Predators at Honda Center on March 12, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Hampus Lindholm #47 of the Anaheim Ducks takes the puck down the ice as Mikael Granlund #64 of the Nashville Predators follows during a game at at Honda Center on March 12, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Troy Terry #61 of the Anaheim Ducks takes the puck down the ice as Viktor Arvidsson #33 of the Nashville Predators falls during the third period at Honda Center on March 12, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Troy Terry #61 of the Anaheim Ducks looks toward the officials after a fall during the third period at Honda Center on March 12, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Troy Terry #61 of the Anaheim Ducks and P.K. Subban #76 of the Nashville Predators look toward the officials after a fall during the third period at Honda Center on March 12, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Mattias Ekholm #14 of the Nashville Predators and Rickard Rakell #67 of the Anaheim Ducks fight for control of the puck during the third period at Honda Center on March 12, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: A pair Pekka Rinne fans hold signs during a game between the Anaheim Ducks and the Nashville Predators at Honda Center on March 12, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Carter Rowney #24 of the Anaheim Ducks and Kyle Turris #8 of the Nashville Predators skate down the ice during a game at Honda Center on March 12, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Cody McLeod #55 of the Nashville Predators throws a punch at Carter Rowney #24 of the Anaheim Ducks during a game at Honda Center on March 12, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Jacob Larsson #32 of the Anaheim Ducks passes the puck as Nick Bonino #13 of the Nashville Predators looks to block during a game at Honda Center on March 12, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

Nashville Predators’ Filip Forsberg, left, of Sweden, shoots as Anaheim Ducks’ Carter Rowney defends during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 12, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. The Ducks won 3-2. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Ryan Ellis #4 of the Nashville Predators and Derek Grant #38 of the Anaheim Ducks fight for control of the puck as Troy Terry #61 of the Anaheim Ducks moves in during a game at Honda Center on March 12, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

ANAHEIM — The game was only minutes old when defenseman Josh Manson hit Ryan Getzlaf with a long breakout pass, catching the Ducks’ center in full stride. Getzlaf churned his legs as he approached the Nashville Predators’ net with only goaltender Pekka Rinne in front of him.

Getzlaf couldn’t pass. There was no one to receive the puck. He had to shoot.

So he did, going against his usual method of operation.

Getzlaf’s goal only 3:39 into the game propelled the Ducks to a 3-2 victory Tuesday over the Predators at Honda Center, their fourth win in sixth games after a five-game losing streak last month effectively eliminated them from a seventh consecutive playoff appearance.

“I thought we had a great first period tonight that helped set the tempo for the game,” defenseman Cam Fowler said after the Ducks built a three-goal lead and then held on to win. “That got our legs underneath us and we were able to take it from there.”

John Gibson made two excellent first-period saves and 32 overall for his 20th win. Jakob Silfverberg pushed the Ducks’ lead to 2-0 with his 20th goal of the season, three shy of his career best, set in 2016-17. Silfverberg also extended his point streak to six games (four goals, four assists).

Daniel Sprong scored for the third consecutive game to extend the Ducks’ lead to 3-0 at 13:59 of the second period. He has 12 goals and 16 points in 37 games since the Ducks acquired him from the Pittsburgh Penguins on Dec. 3 in exchange for Marcus Pettersson.

Filip Forsberg scored two power-play goals in the third period for Nashville, trimming the Ducks’ lead and providing a few harrowing moments after it seemed the game was out of the Predators’ reach. The Ducks wouldn’t yield down the stretch, though.

So where was this Sunday?

Or more to the point: Where was this all season?

No question the Ducks have improved their game considerably since General Manager Bob Murray fired Randy Carlyle and assumed the interim coaching duties himself Feb. 10. Murray’s presence behind the bench has been a great motivating factor, and cannot be discounted for the team’s surge.

The Ducks have had their share of head-scratching moments since the coaching change, including during the first half or so of their 3-2 loss to the Kings on Sunday. They appeared to have learned their lesson by Tuesday, though, and jumped on the Predators from almost the opening shift.

“We want to be competitive and we want to be competitive in every game,” Ducks assistant Mark Morrison said. “We want to win every game. More importantly, we want to play the right way. We want to do all the things you need to do to win a hockey game. … and we’re getting better at it.”

Getzlaf’s breakaway goal set a tone that was missing in the opening minutes against the Kings, when they were outscored 3-1 and outshot 10-2 in the first period of a matchup of the worst teams in the Western Conference. There was no lackluster start Tuesday.

Manson spotted Getzlaf ahead of the pack of defenders and delivered a flawless pass from the faceoff dot in the left faceoff circle to the red line. Getzlaf took care of the rest for his 12th goal of the season and his second in three games.

Silfverberg’s goal pushed their lead to 2-0 and Gibson denied Nick Bonino and Ryan Johansen on point-blank attempts to keep the Predators scoreless after 20 minutes. Gibson (20-21-8) returned to the net after Ryan Miller started against the Kings on Sunday.

Sprong then worked some magic with the puck on his stick to make it 3-0, providing what proved to be the winner. First, he twisted Nashville’s Matt Irwin into a pretzel, shifting the puck from the forehand to the backhand as he skated to the net. Then he whistled a backhanded shot past Rinne.

Ryan Kesler sat out for the third consecutive game because of his ongoing hip issue, which took some but certainly not all of the intrigue out of the game. Kesler and Nashville’s Ryan Johansen couldn’t renew their mutual disdain for each other.

It was left to Predators defenseman P.K. Subban to try to stir things up in the third period, when he engaged Ducks rookies Troy Terry and Max Jones in separate confrontations. Subban (diving) and Terry (holding) went to the penalty box and later Subban (slashing) and Jones (slashing) were penalized.

“You don’t really pay too much attention to who you’re playing against,” Fowler said. “You’re trying to focus as much as you can on us. We’ve run into Nashville quite a bit and you develop a little bit of hatred for teams you meet in the playoffs.”

🗣: "It’s always fun to score goals, but it’s been a tough year. It’s nice to see a little bit of brightness at the end of the year. It’s the same for me and the rest of the team. Just trying to build and create good habits and build for the future." pic.twitter.com/JjUTvLhp3p

🗣: "The coaching staff and general manager believe in me. The guys in the room have been helping me get comfortable. I’m playing with confidence. I’m really getting a chance here. I love it here. I’m excited to be here. We have a great group of guys." pic.twitter.com/UYE9zQp9ga

Elliott Teaford covers the Anaheim Ducks for the Orange County Register and the Southern California News Group. He covered the Ducks for 12 years, including the Stanley Cup season, for the Los Angeles Times and the Daily Breeze before returning to the beat in 2018 for SCNG. He also covered the Lakers for five seasons, including their back-to-back NBA championships in 2009 and '10. He once made a jump shot over future Utah Jazz center Mark Eaton during a pickup game in 1980 at Cypress College.